Sears, once the biggest retailer in the U.S., has struggled to stay afloat. Unable to secure a quick cash infusion, on October 15th, Sears has widely reported its intention to seek bankruptcy protection. Sears Holdings plans to close 142 Sears and Kmart unprofitable stores by year end 2018. The rest will operate under Chapter 11 […]

Illinois’ problems with government pension funds started with negotiated promises for excessive benefits. Some Illinois pensions run at $100,000 or more per year and half of employees retire with benefits before age 60. Those problems were inflamed by the state making smaller contributions than needed to support the benefit payouts. Instances of early retirements and […]

Detroit’s bankruptcy is an implosion of overpromises, underfunding, national recession and local depression. Detroit’s residents and creditors are feeling real pain from their bankruptcy. It’s an unusual case because pension obligations are being forcibly reduced, sending waves of alarm to unionized workers across the US. For decades, local politicians agreed to wage and benefit deals […]

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Americans are facing challenges sometimes caused by questionable public policy and regulations that raise industry costs – both of which lead to higher consumer prices and fewer choices for consumers. ACI's focus is to support concepts which spur competition, encourage innovation, create jobs and benefit consumers overall, while maintaining reasonable and necessary consumer safeguards.

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Is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and research institute founded on the belief that consumers’ interests are not satisfactorily represented by the wide variety of advocacy and consumer organizations that often represent small subsets of consumers and special interests... Read More...